Abstract: With the improving of people’s living quality and medical technology, the demand for breast reconstruction after mastectomy is increasing. Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) surgery is an important way of autologous tissue breast reconstruction. This article introduced the anatomy and blood supply of TRAM flap, the indications and contraindications of TRAM surgery, procedure and complications of the surgery. This article also discussed some problems in surgery. TRAM reconstruction, as a way of autologous tissue reconstruction, can avoid the implant related complications because the implant is not used in the surgery. In addition, compared to the implant recon-struction, the appearance and softness of autologous tissue reconstruction are closer to natural breasts, and the result of this surgery is better. In the meantime, pedicled TRAM reconstruction, which does not need microvascular anastomosis technique and close postoperative monitoring of the flap, is easy to be mastered by surgeons and could be performed at more medical centers. Therefore, the TRAM flap still has its own application prospect.

Key words: Transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap, Breast cancer, Mastectomy, Breast reconstruction